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Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 158 



Series / B > Descriptive Geology, 88 
™ ms 1 0, Underground Waters, 54 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR 



PRELIMINARY REPORT 



ON THE 



GEOLOGY AND UNDERGROUND WATERS 0! 

THE ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA 

NEW MEXICO 



BY 



CASSIT7S A. FISHER 




,-.' 



WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1906 




-:L. \_ 



Glass 

Book_ % FS 



— 



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Of 2- 



Water-Supp'y and Irrigation Paper No. 158 



SaH^ \ B > Descri P tive Geology, 88 
6enes \ 0, Underground Waters, 54 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, Director 



ill 



PRELIMINARY REPORT 



ON THE 



GEOLOGY AND UNDERGROUND WATERS OF 

THE ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA 

NEW MEXICO 



BY 



CASSIUS A. FISHER 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1906 






<:y 






AUb 30 ^06 
D. ofD, 






CONTENTS 



*S> 



t Page. 

Introduction 5 

Topography 5 

Relief 5 

Drainage 5 

Lakes 6 

Outline of geologic relations 6 

General statements G 

Permian ( ?) series 6 

Red-bed division 6 

Limestone division 7 

Cretaceous ( ?) system 8 

Quaternary system 8 

Alluvium '. 8 

Unconsolidated deposits 9 

Artesian water horizons 9 

Extent of artesian area 9 

Wells and well prospects in Roswell artesian basin. . . .' 10 

General condition 10 

Chaves County 10 

Roswell dist rict 10 

Hagerman district 13 

Eddy County 15 

Artesia district 15 

McMillan district 18 

Pressure of artesian water 20 

Composition of artesian water 21 

Origin of the artesian water 23 

Amount of artesian water 24 

Waste of water 25 

Shallow wells 25 

Irrigation 26 

Roswell system 26 

Northern canal 26 

Hondo project 27 

Artesian irrigation 27 

Climate 28 

Temperature 28 

Rainfall 28 

Agriculture 29 

3 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



, ' Page. 

Plate I. Map showing general location of the Roswell artesian area 5 

Ir.A, Head of North Spring River; B, Head of South Spring River 6 

III. A,]V'\ew of " Bottomless Lakes, " east of Pecos River; B, Artesian well and 

, reservoir east of South Spring, New Mexico 

IV. Reconnaissance geologic map of the Roswell artesian basin 8 

V! Geologic sections across the Roswell artesian basin 8 

VI' Map of the Roswell artesian basin. . 10 

VIIl A, Rasmussen's well, east of South Springs, New Mexico; B, Widdeman's 

well, near Dexter, N. Mex 14 

VIIE A, Artesian town well, at Artesia, N. Mex. ; B, Sherman's pumping plant, 

j/ near Roswell, N. Mex 16 

IX. Map of southeastern New Mexico, showing the general artesian conditions 

of the Roswell basin 24 

4 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 158 PL. 



105 c 



104 




105° 



104° 



MAP SHOWING GENERAL LOCATION OF THE ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA. 



PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE GEOLOGY AND UNDERGROUND WATERS OF 
THE ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 



By Cassius A. Fisher. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The area to which this report relates is located in southeastern New Mexico. It comprises 
about 1,800 square miles lying along Pecos River and extending from a point 5 miles north 
of Roswell to below the mouth of Seven Rivers, as shown in PI. I. In addition to the discus- 
sion of the artesian waters, the report includes a brief description of the geology of the sedi- 
mentary rocks, their structure, and their relation to the underground waters. The area of 
flowing wells is indicated on the map, PI. VI, and records of representative wells are given, 
which are intended to illustrate the character and succession of the water-bearing beds) 
Information respecting surface waters available for domestic and irrigation purposes and 
a brief description of the climatic and agricultural features of the region are also given. 

The investigation was conducted under the direction of Mr. N. H. Darton. 

The writer was assisted in the field by Messrs. E. M. Mitchell and E. Patterson, and these 
gentlemen obtained a portion of the well data upon which this report is based. The system- 
atic measurement of well pressures was carried on under the direction of Mr. W. M. Reed, 
district engineer of the Reclamation Service, who has done much to promote the work. The 
chemical analyses of the surface and artesian waters have been kindly furnished by Mr. 
E M. Skeats, of El Paso, Tex., and the paleontological collections have been examined by 
Dr. G. H. Girty. I am indebted to Messrs. Hagerman, Goodart, Phillips, Hortenstein, 
Spurlock, Hale, and others for information concerning artesian irrigation. 

An excellent report on the soils of the Roswell basin by Messrs. T. II. Means and F. D. 
Gardner was used in the preparation of this report. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

Relief. — The topographic features of the Roswell basin present little variety. Across the 
east side of the district there are irregular bluffs rising 200 to 300 feet above Pecos River, 
while to the west the surface rises gradually toward the high limestone plateau bordering 
the Capitan, Sierra Blanca, and Sacramento mountains. The region has an average eleva- 
tion of 3,600 feet above sea level. The highest portion is along the west side of the district, 
where the altitude is about 4,000 feet. In the southeast corner the altitude is about 3,200 
feet. Near the junction of the North and South forks of Seven Rivers there is a high bluff 
having a north-facing escarpment, which rises high above the valley of the South Fork, and 
on the north side of Eagle Draw is a small but prominent plateau. 

Drainage. — The principal drainage channel is Pecos River, which enters from the north 
and flows in a southerly direction across the district. The flow is not large, but it carries a 
small amount of water during the entire year. There are a number of tributaries from the 
west, the largest being the Hondo, Felix, Penasco, and Seven rivers. Hondo and Penr sc~> 
rivers, perennial streams throughout their upper courses, have their sources high on the 



6 ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 

slopes of the Capitan, Sierra Blanca, and Sacramento mountains. The Felix and Seven 
rivers rise in the limestone plateaus lower down, and drain a much smaller area. Hondo 
River east of Roswell is joined on the north by North Spring and Berrendo rivers, and on 
the south side near its mouth by South Spring River. These streams are fed by springs, and 
they carry abundant water at all seasons. There are also several small intermittent streams 
which enter Pecos River. Those from the west are Gardners Arroyo, Fourmile Creek, Eagle 
Draw, Cottonwood Creek, Walnut Draw, and Zuber Hollow; those from the east are Coman- 
che Draw and Long Arroyo. 

Lakes. — At the heads of North and South Spring rivers and Middle and South Berrendo 
rivers are lakes of moderate size. These lakes are fed by a number of small springs, which 
derive their water mainly from the unconsolidated deposits underlying Hondo, Blackwater, 
and Eden valleys. Water rises to the surface in the lower courses of Felix River, Cotton- 
wood Creek, Penasco River, Gardners Arroyo, and North and South Forks of Seven Rivers. 
In the vicinity of Lake Arthur, Hagerman, Greenfield, and Dexter, and north along the east 
side of the Northern canal there are lakes fed in part by springs and in part by seepage from 
the Northern canal. 

On the east side of Pecos River, about 12 miles southeast of Roswell, are several deep lakes 
lying along the base of the gypsum bluffs, which are locally known as the "Bottomless Lakes." 
Dimmit Lake, the largest of these, is situated at the head of a short ravine about 2\ miles 
from Pecos River. Near the mouth of this ravine, on the north side, is Dee Lake, and along 
the base of the bluffs for some distance to the north several smaller lakes occur. The loca- 
tion of these lakes is shown on the geologic map, PI. IV. They have probably been formed 
by flood water from the high slopes to the east, which, in flowing over the exposed gypsum 
ledges at the edge of the bluffs, has dissolved the gypsum and formed subterranean passages 
that now T extend to some of the shallow artesian flows in Pecos Valley. A view of one of the 
"Bottomless Lakes " is shown in PI. Ill, A. The water from some of these lakes is used for 
irrigation. 

OUTLINE OF GEOLOGIC RELATIONS. 

GENERAL STATEMENTS. 

The rocks of the district comprise limestone, sandstone, clay, and gypsum which are 
believed to be of Permian age. Overlying these deposits throughout the Roswell basin 
are extensive sheets of sand, gravel, clay, and silt, probably of Quaternary age, which have 
been deposited in successive terraces between Pecos River and the high limestone slopes 
to the west. The so-called Permian series of this district consists of an upper red bed 
member of gypsum, red sand, limestone, and clay 600 to 800 feet thick, forming the high 
bluffs along the east side of Pecos River and underlying the recent deposits of Pecos Valley, 
and a lower member of massive limestone, clay, and gypsum of undetermined thickness, 
which constitutes high rugged slopes to the west. Overlying the red-bed division east of 
Pecos River is a reddish-brown sandstone about 100 feet thick, which may be of Cretace- 
ous age. No subdivisions have been made of the probably Permian rocks in this region 
in the present reconnaissance. 

PERMIAN (?) SERIES. 

Bed-bed division. — These rocks consist of alternating beds of gypsum, red sand, and clay, 
with an occasional layer of dark-gray, compact limestone. The gypsum predominates 
and usually occurs in beds about 10 feet thick. It is often found, however, in thinner lay- 
ers, interbedded with clay and limestone. The red beds are provisionally placed in the 
Permian, although no fossils have been found in them. They are not shown separately 
on the geologic map (PI. IV), but are represented with the underlying massive limestones. 
The upper part of the beds is well exposed in the bluffs along the east side of Pecos River, 
where a number of sections have been measured. These sections are as follows: 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY. PAPER NO. 158 PL. 




A. HEAD OF NORTH SPRING RIVER. 




B. HEAD OF SOUTH SPRING RIVER. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 158 PL. 




,1. VIEW OF "BOTTOMLESS LAKES,' EAST OF PECOS RIVER 




B. ARTESIAN WELL AND RESERVOIR EAST OF SOUTH SPRING, NEW MEXICO. 



OUTLINE OF GEOLOGIC RELATIONS. I 

Sections of gypsum bluffs along the east side of Pecos River, New Mexico. 

East of Roswell: Feet. 

Alternating layers of gypsum and red sand, with an occasional layer of limestone 50 

White gypsum <> 

Red sand 6 

White, thin-bedded gypsum 10 

Red sandstone containing thin layers of limestone 24 

White gypsum 5 

Red sand 13 

Gypsum 10 

Red sand 3 

Gypsum 8 

Red sand 8 

Gypsum 4 

Greenish-gray sandstone 25 

Gypsum 

Total 178 

At Dimmit Lake: 

Gray, sandy limestone 20 

Alternating layers of gypsum and red and green clay, with an occasional bed of porous lime- 
stone 100 

Gypsum '. 4 

Red clay 2\ 

Gypsum 18 

Alternating layers of gypsum and red clay fi 

Gypsum 11 

Alternating layers of gypsum and red sandstone 6 

Gypsum 9 

Red clay 1 

Gypsum 10 

Alternating layers of gypsum and red clay 15 

Gypsum 5 

Red clay 1^ 

Gypsum 10 

Red clay 7 

Alternating layers of gypsum and red clay 8 

Gypsum fi 

Red clay, with thin layers of gypsum 3 

Gypsum 6 

Total 249 

Eight miles northeast of Artesia: 

Gray, compact limestone 5 

Gypsum and red, sandy clay in alternate succession fi5 

Red, sandy clay 10 

White, massive gypsum 15 

Red, sandy clay 5 

White gypsum 10 

Gray limestone 5 

Gypsum , 18 

Red clay 12 

Gypsum 5 

Total , . 1 50 

About 2 miles southeast of the mouth of South Fork of Seven Rivers: 

Massive, gray limestone 35 

Gypsum and red sandstone in alternate layers, with an occasional limestone ledge 50 

Gypsum, thin-bedded porous limestone, and red sandstone arranged alternately, the gyp- 
sum predominating 150 

Gypsum, with thin layers of gray limestone 50 

Total 285 

Limestone division. — The massive limestone beds underlying the so-called Permian red 
beds of this region consist mainly of gray, compact limestone, with layers of soft sand- 
stone, clay, and gypsum. In the upper part the limestone is more or less thin-bedded and 



8 ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 

porous, and contains many sandy layers. From these beds some of the strongest artesian 
flows in the Roswell basin are obtained. Limestone outcrops along the west side of the dis- 
trict, and farther to the west forms high rugged plateaus, extending toward the mountains. 
Fossils are not abundant in the formation, but in one locality northwest of Roswell a num- 
ber were collected, which consisted mainly of Schizodus and Pleurophorus, preserved as 
casts. According to Doctor Girty the fauna and lithology of these specimens suggest the 
highest Carboniferous beds or the Permian of the Mississippi Valley in Texas. 

To the east of the Roswell district the high plains are traversed by dikes of igneous rock. 
One of these dikes extends into the area in the northeast corner, but passes beneath the 
surface at a point about 5 miles east of Pecos River. Its location is shown on the geologic 
map (PI. IV). The dike is about 35 feet wide, and consists of a light-colored rock, which 
is much decomposed on the surface. 

Extending across the southeast portion of the area, from below Lake McMillan to the 
high bluffs east of Artesia, is a narrow zone in which the sedimentary rocks are more or less 
metamorphosed, so that in the crevices considerable mineralization has taken place. Cop- 
per is the principal mineral, occurring mainly as the carbonate and oxide. Some prospect- 
ing has been done in the hills south and east of Artesia, but no paying ore has been dis- 
covered. 

CRETACEOUS (?) SYSTEM. 

The sandstone overlying the Permian (?) red beds along the east side of the district is 
possibly, as above stated, of Cretaceous age. A few fossil plants were found in these beds, 
but they were too fragmentary to be determined. The distribution of the formation was 
not ascertained. It consists of massive, reddish-brown sandstone in beds of varying thick- 
ness, with an occasional layer of light-gray sandstone. The material is coarse grained and 
cross-bedded throughout, and often weathers into rounded forms. The following is a sec- 
tion of the sandstone near Petty 's windmill, about 15 miles northeast of Roswell: 

Section of sandstone overlying Permian (?) red beds near Roswell, N. Mex. 

Feet. 

Reddish-brown, cross-bedded sandstone 40 

Brown, massive sandstone 6 

Lighter brown, massive sandstone, somewhat cross-bedded 10 

Gray, coarse-grained sandstone 1 

Reddish-brown sandstone 18 

QUATERNARY SYSTEM. 

The formations of the Quaternary period cover an extensive area in the Roswell basin, 
comprising approximately 1,200 square miles. They occupy the entire central portion of 
the basin, and extend far up the limestone slopes to the west. These deposits are mainly 
of two kinds — the alluvium of the river valleys and the unconsolidated material of higher 
levels. 

Alluvium. — The alluvium is confined mainly to Pecos River Valley, although small areas 
occur along all the larger and many of the smaller streams. It is a light -colored, fine- 
grained material, consisting mainly of sand, gravel, and clay, with a small amount of or- 
ganic matter. In the lower portions of the valley the soil contains much "alkali," often 
sufficient to render it unfit for cultivation. There are many small lakes along the river 
bottom, and the lowlands are generally swampy. On the east side of Pecos River, from a 
point opposite Dexter to beyond Comanche Draw, there are several springs, which have 
built cones of spring deposits 6 to 10 feet high. 

Hondo, Felix, and Penasco rivers have built small flood plains along their lower courses 
which are perceptibly higher than the surrounding region. The alluvium along these 
streams varies somewhat in character, but it is generally of a light-gray color, and consists 
of gravel, sand, silt, and clay, covered by a fertile soil. The fertility is due to the presence 
of fine silt brought down by the flood waters from the high mountain rgeions. According 



U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 


158 PL 


IV 




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sandstone .clay; and 

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RECONNAISSANCE GEOLOGIC IMAP OF THE 

ROSWELL ARTESIAN BASIN, SOUTHEASTERN NEWMEXICO 

BY C.^-FISHER 

Topography compiled from railroad data 

lonhlgs 



-iCEN S CO.BALTIMOR 



EXTENT OF ARTESIAN AREA. U 

to Mr. T. II. Means the alluvium of Hondo Valley contains more plant food than that of 
the Nile in Egypt. The following analyses are taken from Mr. Means's report :« 

Chemical composition of Hondo and Nile sediment. 



Constituent. 



Hondo 
mud 

(Skeats) 



Insoluble matter and silica ... 43. 6 

Iron oxide and alumina 21. 4 

Oxide of manganese 

Magnesia 2.1 

Lime 5. 7 

Potash 1. 19 



Nile mud 

(Mac- 
kenzie). 



58.17 
24. 75 



2.42 
3.31 



Constituent. 



Soda 

Sulphuric acid 

Phosphoric acid 

Carbonic acid 

Organic matter 

Nitrogen in organic matter. 



Hondo 
mud 

(Skeats). 



1.96 
.3 



Nile mud 

(Mac- 
kenzie). 



.62 
.20 
.21 
1.55 
8.00 
.12 



Unconsolidated deposits. — These deposits consist mainly of sand, gravel, and clay. The 
sand is of light-gray color, medium to fine grained, the clay more or less sandy, and the 
gravel a moderately coarse variety. The gravel is often firmly cemented by calcium car- 
bonate, and local deposits of gypsum and a calcareous material known as " caliche " occur 
throughout the formation. According to well records the thickness of the formation varies 
considerably in different parts of the basin. In several deep wells around Artesia coarse 
gravels were encountered 500 to 700 feet below the surface. At Roswell and in the lower 
part of Hondo Valley unconsolidated sediments are 1.50 to 300 feet thick, and in Seven 
Rivers Valley they are probably thicker. In John Richey's well, 8 miles northeast of 
Artesia, a gravel bed, apparently the base of the unconsolidated sediments, was penetrated 
at a depth of 134 feet. At Sigman's well, near Lake Arthur, according to the driller's 
statement, the unconsolidated deposits are only a few feet thick, and about 3 miles north- 
east of Lake Arthur the red, sandy beds of the Permian (?) are exposed. 

ARTESIAN WATER HORIZONS. 

There are several artesian horizons in the formations underlying the Roswell basin. 
Flows of moderate volume are found in the sandstones of the upper member of the Per- 
mian (?) series and in the overlying unconsolidated deposits, but the strongest are from 
porous limestones interstratified with beds of sand, which constitute the upper part of t'ie 
massive limestone division. 

EXTENT OF ARTESIAN AREA. 

The Roswell artesian basin is about 60 miles long and has an average width of 11 miles. 
At the north end it is relatively narrow, but to the south it widens somewhat. It comprises 
about 650 square miles, the greater part of which lies along the west side of Pecos River. 
The area of flow is shown on PI. VI. 

In the vicinity of Roswell the head of artesian water, as determined both by practical 
tests and by the pressures of a number of flows in the town of Roswell, is sufficient to raise 
water to an altitude of 3,586 feet above sea level, the exact elevation of the water level in the 
head of North Spring River. In order to ascertain the western limit of the area of flow 
south of Roswell a line of levels was surveyed, under the direction of Mr. W. M. Reed, dis- 
trict engineer, from the head of North Spring River as far south as Eagle Draw. From there 
to Seven Rivers the western boundary of the artesian basin was ascertained mainly from 
evidence of wells in the adjoining lowlands. It is possible that the artesian head increases to 
the west and that flows might be obtained higher up the slopes than is indicated on the artesian 
water sheet, especially in the valleys of Felix River, Cottonwood Creek, and Penasco River, 
but there appears to be no definite evidence of this. The eastern limits of the artesian area 

a Means, T. H. and Gardner, F. D., Soil survey in the Pecos Valley: Field operations of Bureau of 
Soils, 1899, U. S. Dept. Agric, Rept. No. 64. 1900, p. 49. 



10 ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 

are indicated by moderately high bluffs, which follow the general course of Pecos River 
across the entire district. 

About 15 miles northeast of Roswell on th'e south side of Salt Creek are a number of springs 
that furnish considerable water. It is possible that shallow flowing wells would be obtained 
in the lowlands of Salt Creek Valley below these springs, but no investigation was made of 
this region. At Stockpens, about 13 miles northwest of Roswell and a short distance south 
of the mouth of Salt Creek, a deep test well was being sunk at the time this investigation was 
made. The boring had reached a depth of 900 feet without obtaining a flow, but it was the 
intention of the well owners to continue to a depth of 1,000 feet. The head of artesian water 
in the northern part of the Roswell basin, as calculated from the pressures of flows in the 
vicinity of Roswell, is not sufficient to bring water to the surface in wells at Stockpens. 

There is a deep well at Portales, N. Mex., in which a flow was obtained at a depth of about 
400 feet. A record of this well is as follows: 

Record of well at Portales, N. Mex. 

Feet. 

Soil 0- 4 

G y psum 4- 8 

Red, sandy clay 8-20 

White limestone 20-32 

Red, sandy clay 32-48 

White limestone 48-88 

Red clay 88-188 

' ' Flint rock" 188-189 

Coarse gravel and sand 189-219 

Red clay 219-297 

White sandstone 297-309 

White sand and clay in alternate layers 309-399 

WELLS AND WELL PROSPECTS IN ROSWELL ARTESIAN BASIN. 

GENERAL CONDITIONS. 

Flowing wells were first obtained in the Roswell basin about ten years ago and for a num- 
ber of years thereafter development was confined chiefly to this immediate vicinity. Dur- 
ing the last two years, however, strong flows have been obtained near Artesia, and at present 
this part of the basin is receiving the greatest development. Owing to the rapid progress in 
well sinking throughout the Roswell basin it is difficult to give a complete list of the flowing 
wells. Information of about 200 has been obtained, but it is probable that the total number 
at present exceeds 250. About half of this number are found in Roswell and North Spring 
River Valley, the extreme north end of the basin. 

In amount of flow the wells vary from a few gallons to 1,800 gallons a minute, differing 
principally with the locality. At Roswell the flow of an average well has been variously 
estimated at 500 to 700 gallons, while near Artesia the highest flow recorded exceeds 1,700 
gallons. The water is used chiefly for irrigation and domestic purposes. In a few cases, 
however, the presence of sulphur renders it unfit for household use. The Form waltz well 
northeast of Hagerman is said to have medicinal properties, but no chemical analysis of 
the water was obtained. 

As the conditions under which artesian water is obtained throughout the Roswell basin 
show considerable variation, the area in the following discussion is divided into four dis- 
tricts— Roswell, Hagerman, Artesia, and McMillan. The Roswell and Hagerman districts 
are in Chaves County, and the Artesia and McMillan districts are in Eddy County. 

chaves county; 

Roswell district. — This district comprises the northern portion of the area of flow included 
in Chaves County, and, as stated above, it is the district where greatest development has 
taken place. In Roswell and in Hondo Valley the depths of the wells vary from 150 to 500 
feet, the average being 250 feet. To the southeast in the vicinity of Orchard Park flows are 



U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 158 PL. VI 




LEGEND 



iroxiruate area of irri- 
gable laiuliii- which water 
^oulclprobablv rise in. deep 
wells within, loo feet of the surtare 



Ml 



MAP OF THE ROSWEXuL ARTESIAN BASIN 

SOTTTHEASTETUST NEW MEXICO 

BY C.A-FISHKR 

Topographs- compiled from railroad data 

and barometer readings 

Scale 



Mon artesian area 



Flowing wells 



WELLS AND WELL PROSPECTS. 



11 



obtained at a much greater depth. The formations encountered in sinking a well at Roswell 
generally consist of unconsolidated deposits for the first 175 feet from the surface. Below 
this depth drills penetrate bed rock, composed of hard, light-colored limestone underlain by 
alternating layers of porous limestone and sandstone. The following are records of repre- 
sentative wells in and near Roswell: 



Typical well records in and near Roswell, N. Mex. 



Record of the Ogh 

Soil 

Gravel 



Blueish clay with layers of gravel 

Greenish-yellow clay with rust-colored bands 

Soft red sandstone (water bearing) 

Red clay 



well at Roswell: Feet. 

0- 5 

5-30 

30-150 

150-162 

162-170 

170-174 

Gray limestone 174-177 

Red clay 177-178 

Gray limestone 178-182 

Gray limestone, very hard 182-186 

Soft gray limestone 186-204 

Hard gray limestone 204-218 

Light-gray, porous limestone (water bearing) 218-226 

Limestone and sandstone in alternate layers (water bearing) 226-242 

Record of the Waskom well, SW. \ sec. 32, T. 10 S., R. 25 E.:« 

Soil 0- 5 

Sand and gravel 5-15 

Yellow clay 15-40 

Clay and decomposed gypsum 40-70 

Sandstone, coarse yellow sand, and gravel in alternate succession 70-360 

Limestone and sandstone in alternating layers, the limestones predominating 360-560 

Record of the Rasmussen well, SW. \ sec. 21, T. 11 S., R. 25 E. : 

Soil and fine sand 0-30 

Gray sand 30-40 

Gravel 40- 50 

Rock and gravel in alternate layers 50- 60 

Red sand 60-65 

Gray sand and hard rock in thin layers 65-172 



Quicksand 172-212 

Red sandstone 212-327 

Red sand containing layers of rock 327-400 

Limestone 400-560 

Partial list of artesian wells in Roswell district, New Mexico. 



Name of owner and location. 



Anderson: 

SE. i sec. 3, T. 11 S., R. 25 E 

Do 

Do 

Anderson & Skillman, lot 7, block 16, West Roswell. . 
"Bottomless Lake" well, SE. i NW. i sec. 10, T. 12 S. 

Bradley & Beal, lot 6, block 53, West Roswell 

Brink, Fritz, lot 14, block 23, west side Roswell 

Brown & Creighton, lot 11, block 4, original Roswell. . 
Cahoon, E. A.: , 

NW. JNW. isec. 34, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 

Lot 6, block 21, west side Roswell 

Chambers, R. M., lot 4, block 24, original Roswell 

Champion, D., NW. i NW. J sec. 27, T. 10 S.. R. 24 E. 



R. 26 E. 



Depth. 



Diame- 
ter. 



340 



244 
330 



Yield b 



eet. 


Inches 


60 


6 


60 


6 


58 


6 


440 


4 


420 


6 


232 


5| 


235 


5! 


238 


51 



Galls, per 
minute. 



400 



5| 


600 


5f 


500 


51 


500 


4£ 


402 


4 


250 


4f 


600 


-I 


300 



a In this well, located 4 miles east of Roswell, bed rock was reached at a depth of 360 
b Mainly estimated. 



feet. 



12 ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 

Partial list of artesian wells in Roswell district, New Mexico — Continued. 



Name of owner and location. 



Chaves Co., block 11, Roswell 

Church, J. P., lot 8, block 45, West Roswell 

Cottingham, J. A., lot 13, block 19, original Roswell 

Davis, W. P., SE. \ NE. £ sec. 7, T. 11 S., R. 25 E 

Denning, S. P., lot 8, block 51, west side Roswell 

Diamond ice factory, lot 1, block 7, Thurber's addition, Roswell. 
Dickson, J., northwest corner Washington and 2d sts., Roswell. 

Dickson, J. M., lot 5, block 52, west side Roswell 

Divers, F. , lot 2, block 9, west side Roswell 

Dunn, G., T. 12 S., R. 26 E 

Evans, J F., lot 8, block 28, original Roswell 

Elliott Bros., SW. \ SW. | sec. 32, T. 12 S., R. 25 E 

Faulkner, R. L., lot 10, block 12, west side Roswell 

Ferguson, W. M.: 

Lot 10, block 2, original Roswell 

NE i NW. i sec. 15, T. 12 S., R. 25 E 

Finley, M. N., SW. \ SW. \ sec. 3, T. 11 S., R. 24 E 

Fit zgerald & Kingston, lot 1, block 17, original Roswell 

Fitzgerald, lot 12, block 26, original Roswell 

Frank, ('. J., lot 9, block 10, original Roswell 

Garrett, A. D., lot 1, block 20, west side Roswell 

Garst, J., lot 2, block 1, original Roswell 

Garst, Julius, SE. I SW. i sec. 28, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 

Gaslin, II., lot 10, block 48, west Roswell 

Gaullier, lot 6, block 1, original Roswell 

Goodart, J. H., NW. \ NE. { sec. 7, T. 11 S., R. 25 E 

Hagerman, O., lot 3, block 24, South Roswell 

Hamilton, R. S., lot 12, block 14, original Roswell 

Hamilton, J., SW. i SW. \ sec. 26, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 

Haynes, C. W.: 

Lot 7, block 20, South Roswell 

Roswell 

Do 

Do 

Henning, J. H., lot 7, block 11, west side Roswell 

Hinkle, J. , lot 7, block 51, west side RosweU 

Hobson, Lowe & Co., lot 9, block 3, original Roswell 

Hortenstein, NW. } SW. i sec. 23, T. 12 S., R. 25 E 

Jaffa, N., lot 10, block 3, Thurber's addition, Roswell 

Jaffa & Prager, lot 13, block 14, Roswell • 

Johnson, R. W., lot 7, block 24, west side Roswell 

Lawndes, G., NW. i NW. 1 sec. 35, T. 11 S., R. 25 E 

Lea, J. C, lot 5, block 4, original Roswell 



L. F. D. stock farm, SE. \ NW. i sec. 1, T. 11 S., R. 24 E. 

McCarty, S. S., N. \ NW. \ sec. 14, T. 10 S., R. 25 E 

McClenney, M. E., SE. \ SE. \ sec. 35, T. 10 S., R. 24 E . . . 

Marrow & Tannehill, lot 14, block 13, old Roswell 

Meeks, W., lot 6, block 28, original Roswell 

Miller, J., lot 4, block 30, original Roswell 

New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell 

Parsons, R. M., lot 5, block 54, west side Roswell 

Patterson, J. F., lot 1, block 42, west side Roswell 



)epth. 


Diame- 
ter. 


Yield.™ 


Feet. 


Inches. 


Galls, per 
minute. 


206 


5f 


675 


270 


5| 


500 


202 


5| 


600 


450 


5f 


500 


240 


5| 


580 


196 


5§ 


700 


270 


5| 


660 


198 


5f 


400 


232 


5f 


600 


264 


«l 


410 


200 


4 


250 


859 


6 


612 


198 


5 


500 


255 


*h 


320 


882 


6g 


987 


354 


n 


150 


200 


5| 


600 


190 


5f 


500 


202 


5| 


600 


260 


5| 


500 


271 


3 


250 


279 


6f« 




242 


4i 


350 


265 


51 


680 


400 


4| 


600 


405 


5 


680 


301 


5| 


800 


313 


6| 


400 


310 


51 


750 


232 


51 


750 


204 


71 


750 


232 


5§ 


700 


235 


5 


400 


235 


4i 


400 


270 


5| 


600 


840 


5| 


349 


200 


3 


200 


380 


4 


450 


250 


5| 


750 


287 




300 


230 


6f 


750 


383 


6f 


596 


333 


4§ 


100 


844' 


5| 


300 


375 


7| 


600 


260 


5 


500 


160 


4 


250 


230 


5| 


580 


232 


«l 




245 


5f 


tii 5 


260 


3 


250 



« Mainly estimated. 



WELLS AND WELL PROSPECTS. 



13 



Partial list of artesian wells in Roswell district, New Mexico — -Continued. 



Name of owner and location. 



Peck, J. C, NE. iSW. } sec. 27, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 

Pecos Valley and Northeastern Railroad, Roswell (pressure 12 pounds). 

Pettey & Miller, lot 6, block 14, original Roswell 

Pierce, F., lot 3, block 10, west side Roswell 

Rasmussen, E. P., SW. J sec. 21, T. 11 S., R. 25 E 

Ray, J. R., lot 6, block 21, west side Roswell 

Read, G. W., lot 9, block 6, original Roswell 

Redderson, G., lot 11, block 18, west side Roswell 

Ried, C. M., lot 3, block 12, west side Roswell 

Roach T., lot 10, block 21, west side Roswell 

Roach, T. S., lot 9, block 21, west side Roswell 

Rogers, A. C, sec. 25, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 

Rose, I. B., lot 7, block 40, west side Roswell ' 

Ross, F., lot 2, block 3, orignal Roswell 

Roswell Wood and Hide Co., lot 7, block 18, original Roswell 

Roswell (town) : 

Block 23, west side 

Block 41, west side 

Block 47, west side ' 

Seay, E.: 

Lot 8, block 38, west side Roswell 

Lot 11, block 38, West Roswell 

Sheridan, C, lot 7, block 7, original Roswell 

Skipwith, J. II., lot 12, block 8, original Roswell 

Slakey, II. B. , lot 9, block 57, west side Roswell 

Slaughter, C. C, sec. 34, T. 10 S., R. 24 E., Center 

Slaughter, G., Thurber's addition, Roswell 

Smith, L. R., SW. \ NW. { sec. 27, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 

Smock, W. S. , lot 4, block 50, west side Roswell 

Spurlock, SW. i sec. 31, T. 11, S., R. 24 E 

Stansell, C. N., NE. J SW. \ sec. 11, T. 11 S., R. 24 E 

Stevens, L. A., lot 11, block 19, original Roswell 

Sutherland, lot 5, block 27, original Roswell 

Tipton, W., lot 19, block 6, South Roswell 

Totsek, S., lot 6, block 42, west side Roswell 

Veal, G. F., lot 10, block 5, original Roswell 

Waldron, C. E., lot 11, block 22, west side Roswell 

Wallace, J. A., lot 5, block 39, west side Roswell 

Warren, J. R., lot 1, block 23, west side Roswell 

Waskom, A. B., SW. i sec. 32, T. 10 S., R. 25 E 

Wells, W. F.,lot 1, block 1, Roswell 

Whiteman, C, lot 1, block 6, Thurber's addition, Roswell 

Wilkerison, W. G., lot 6, block 57, west side Roswell 

Wilson, B., lot 8, block 44, west side Roswell 

Woodruff & Hedgecoxe, lot 13, block 15, original Roswell 

Wyllys, G. L., lot 7, block 58. West Roswell 

Yater, B. M., lot 7, block 26, original Roswell (pressure about 7 pounds) 



Depth. 



Feet. 
333 
248 
225 
264 
560 
221 
224 
250 
175 
250 
240 
142 
241 
245 
262 

163 
260 
270 

205 
170 
2.50 
249 
218 
275 
225 
330 
235 
917 
340 
220 
300 
300 
238 
361 
240 
155 
150 
560 
230 
170 
234 
235 
205 
249 
203 



Diame- 
ter. 



Inches. 
5| 
5f 
6| 
5f 
5f 
5| 
4 

5| 
4§ 
5f 
5f 
3| 
5| 
5| 
4h 



Yield. 



Galls, per 
minute. 

400 

820 

750 

600 



600 
400 
600 
300 
600 
500 
2 



500 
600 
600 

500 
400 
580 
500 
500 
550 
460 
300 
600 
324 
350 
360 



600 
600 
600 
J00 
200 
756 
660 
400 
580 



780 
750 



i Mainly estimated. 



Hagerman district. — In the immediate vicinity of Hagerman there are a few flowing wells, 
but about 8 miles north, near Dexter and in the lowlands east of Pecos River, there are 
several. They vary in depth from 300 to 1,000 feet, and the beds penetrated differ some- 
what from those of the Roswell district. In the lowlands of Pecos Valley flows of moderate 

irk 158—06 2 



14 ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 

yield are obtained in soft sandstones at depths of 300 to 500 feet, bat on the higher slopes 
to the west the main flow occurs in porous limestones 800 to 1,000 feet below the surface. 
The Hedgecoxe well, about 1 mile southeast of Dexter, is 960 feet deep. The main flow 
occurs in a porous limestone underlying red sandstone 60 feet thick, which is overlain by 
unconsolidated material. 

The following records of wells were furnished by the drillers: 

Typical deep borings in Hagerman district, New Mexico. 

Record of the Hedgecoxe well, near Dexter: Feet. 

Soil and gravel 0- 19 

Coarse sand 19- 71 

Quicksand 71- 271 

Limestone 271- 273 

Red sandy clay 273- 323 

Yellow clay 323- 343 

Limestone 343- 345 

Quicksand 345- 545 

Limestone 545- 551 

Blue clay 551- 601 

Quicksand 601- 651 

" Shell rock " 651- 653 

Alternating layers of sand, silt, and clay 653- 800 

Coarse gravel 800- 806 

Red sandstone 806- 866 

Porous limestone : 866- 960 

Record of Widdem^n well: 

Soil 0- 20 

Gravel 20- 55 

Quicksand 55- 105 

Alternating beds of clay and gypsum 105- 360 

Sand '. 360- 440 

Red sand with layers of clay and one 25-foot layer of gypsum near the middle 440- 800 

Limestone. 800-1,000 

Record of Cummins well: 

Soil and gravel 0- 40 

Sand ' 40- 44 

Clay 44- 60 

Gravel 60- 65 

Rock, clay, and sand in alternate layers 65- 105 

Clay and sand 105- 165 

Red sand 165- 550 

Coarse red sand and clay in alternate layers 550- 820 

Limestone 820- 840 

Partial record of town well at Hagerman: a 

Soil 1- 12 

Conglomerate 12- 22 

Sand 22- 32 

Clay. 32- 60 

Alternating beds of coarse sand and gravel 60- 535 

Gypsum and red sandy clay in alternate beds 535- 610 

Gypsum 610- 630 

Red clay and sand 630- 675 

Hard gypsum 675- 732 

Hard, gray sandstone 732- 735 

Gypsum • 735- 745 

Red clay and sand 745- 750 

Gypsum 750- 760 

a Boring in progress at time investigation was made. 





w o 

I- u 

co — 

< x 

LU LU 

_J 

H £ 

LU UJ 



WELLS AND WELL PROSPECTS. 



15 



Partial record of H. II. Sigman's well near Lake Arthur: « Feet 

Soil and conglomerate 0- 

Hard gypsum (first flow at base) 5- 

Alternating strata of gypsum and red sand 130- 

Alternating layers of red sand and clay 235- 

White sand 345- 

Red sand 545- 

Partial list of artesian wells in Hagerman district. 



Name of owner and location. 



Dp P th - ^ier!" 



Calloway, E. II., T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Carper, J. E., NW. \ NE. \ sec. 28, T. 12 S., R. 2(5 E. 
Casiers, T. M., NE. \ NW. J sec. 7, T. 13 S., R. 20 E 

Clem, J. A., E. I sec. 11, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Criser, F. A., E. \ NW. \ sec. 33, T. 12 S., R. 26 E . . . 

Cummins, J. Q., SE. \ sec. 33, T. 12 S., R. 25 E 

Elliot, I. II 

Formwault, SW. {sec. 31, T. 12 S.. R. 26 E 

Forstad, J., NE. \ sec. 13, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Geyer 



Feet. 

454 
330 
400 
525 
500 
860 
760 
960 
664 
300 



Inches. 



Goodell, S. W., S. \ sec. 15, T. 13 S., II. 25 E 

Greenfield farm (center), sec. 32, T. 13 S., It. 26 E 

Hagerman (town).'NE. \ SE. J sec. 10, T. 14 S., R. 26E. 

Hedgecoxe, NE. \ NE. 1 sec. 18, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Lake Arthur, sec. 20, T. 15 S., R. 26 E 

Large, Frank: 

Sec. 4, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Sec. 4, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Sec. 4, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Townsley. II. W.: 

NW. J sec. 4, T. 13 S.. R. 26 E 

NW. \ sec. 4, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Walters, L., SE. {sec. 14, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Widdeman, NW. \ sec. 5, T. 13 S., R. 26 E 

Wilson, P., NW. J sec. 18, T. 13 S., R. 27 E 

Winchell, N. J., SE. \ SW. \ sec. 30, T. 13 S., R. 26 E. . . 



760 

960 

1,000 

375 
460 
460 

440 
450 
505 

1,000 
620 

1,025 



Mainly estimated. 



EDDY COUNTY. 



5| 
6| 
4i 
6f 
7| 
5h 
8 
5| 
8 
6| 
10 

5f 
7| 

7f 



Gallons 

(per 
minute). 
20 
377 
351 
517 
300 
250 



25 



600 
764 



420 
599 
599 



5| 

5| 310 

20 
8 880 



Artesia district. — The Artesia district comprises the northern portion of the area of flow 
included in Eddy County. The formations encountered in boring a deep well near Artesia 
differ somewhat from those in other parts of the Roswell basin. According to well records 
they consist for the first 500 to 700 feet of unconsolidated beds of sand, gravel, and clay, 
which by their loose texture frequently offer considerable difficulty in well construction. 
Beneath these beds there are alternating layers of red and gray sandstone, clay, and gyp- 
sum lying on a series of porous limestones, clays, and sandstones, in which the strongest 
artesian flows occur. A number of records of deep borings around Artesia, as reported by 
the well drillers, are here given : 



a No satisfactory record, particularly of the lower part, could be obtained of this boring, which was 
originally 1,000 feet deep. There is probably some defect in the casing of the well, for, according to 
the latest reports, the lower part of the pipe appears to be clogging up with sediment, and there is a 
perceptible decrease in the pressure of the flow. The best information which could be obtained con- 
cerning the formations penetrated in the upper part of this well is here given. 



16 ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 

Typical deep borings in Artesia district, Neiv Mexico. 

Record of the J. C. Hah' well, l [ miles southeast of Artesia: Feet. 

Soil 0-10 

Red clay 10-30 

White, coarse sand 30-100 

Fine sand 100-120 

Bluish clay alternating with sandy layers 120-375 

Red clay with layers of gravel 375-540 

Whit e sand 540-550 

Yellow sand '■■-■. 550-556 

Red, sandy clay 556-581 

Limestone 581-585 

Red, sandy clay alternating with layers of gravel 585-745 

Gravel 745-751 

Hard limestone 751-760 

Limestone and red clay 760-794 

Hard and soft light-colored limestone with layers of sandstone 794-820 

Soft, red sandstone 820-830 

Hard, porous limestone and red clay in alternate succession, the limestone predominating. 830-850 

Record of the J. S. Majors artesian well, 2 miles north of Artesia: 

Loamy soil 0- 6 

Bowlders 6-15 

Concretionary conglomerate 15-40 

Rock 40-62 

Soft sands 62-68 

Rocks and bowlders 68-70 

Gray sand 70-72 

Soft clay 72-160 

Moderately hard rock 160-174 

R ed, sticky clay 174-210 

Sticky clay and gravel 210-240 

Coarse, white sand 240-275 

Clay and gravel , 275-290 

Soft rock 290-295 

Clay 295-310 

Red quicksand 310-320 

Red clay 320-357 

Soft rock 357-360 

Soft clay (First flow yielding about 10 gallons per minute) : 360-420 

Hard rock 420-428 

Clay and gravel ; some sand 1 428-460 

Clay and sand 460-542 

Soft rock and clay 542-560 

Tough, red clay 560-598 

Hard rock 598-600 

Hard clay 600-617 

Hard rock 617-628 

Red clay 628-630 

Soft. roc*k 630-634 

Hard rock 634-640 

Sand and clay. 640-665 

Soft rock, clay, and sand 665-700 

Quicksand 700-704 

Hard rock (limestone ; second flow at base) 704-714 

Alternating strata of soft rock and clay 714-770 

Soft and hard rock in alternate layers 770-795 

Very hard rock (limestone) 795-798 

Clay and soft rock 798-812 

Extremely hard rock (limestone) 812-820 

Rock, increasing in hardness 820-823 

Record of the Hodges A: Venable artesian well, Artesia: a 

Soil 0-10 

Bowlders and clay 10-19 

Concrete rock 1.9- 26 



a In this well flows were obtained at the following depths: First flow, 450 feet; second flow, 648 feet, 
third flow, 785 feet; fourth flow, 802 feet. 



WELLS AltfD WELL PROSPECTS. 17 

Record of the Hodges & Venable artesian well, Artesia— Continued. Feet. 

Loose gravel 26 - 41 

Concrete rock 41 4(5 

Red clay 46 - 73 

Concretionary gravel 73 76 

Loose gravel 76 - 86 

Hard limestone 86 -113 

Loose gravel containing water 113 -120 

Limestone 120 -130 

Red clay ! 130 -155 

Red clay alternating with conglomerate 155 -185 

Alternating strata of concretionary conglomerate and red clay 185 -250 

Red clay 250 -350 

Alternating layers of red, sandy clay and sandstone 350 -545 

Limestone, with an occasional layer of red clay, very hard at base of series 545 -840 

Record of the J. B. Barnes artesian well, 12 miles southwest of Artesia: 

Soil 0-6 

Bowlders and gravel 6 - 13 

Yellow clay and gravel 13 - 53 

Red clay 53 -153 

Quicksand 153 -157 

Red sand and soft sandstone 157-177 

Soft, yellowish sandstone. . 177 -227 

Hard limestone 227 -267 

Red, sandy clay alternating with soft red sandstone, which gives place to porous lime- 
stone in the lower half of the series. (First flow ) 267 -450 

Soft, red sandstone 450 -500 

Porous limestone 500 -525 

Soft, red sandstone 525 -535 

Record of the S. L. Roberts artesian well, at Artesia: 

Soil 0-7 

Bowlders and gravel 7 - 42 

Red, sandy clay containing some gravel 42 -200 

Quicksand 200 -260 

Red clay 260 300 

Alternating layers of gray sand a nd red clay 300 -600 

Limestone 600 -604 

Gypsum 604 -634 

Red clay 634 675 

Limestone 675 -679 

Red clay 679 704 

Limestone 704 -705i 

Red, sandy clay 705i-745i 

Limestone 745^-840 

Hard limestone 840 -852 

Red, sandy clay 852 -880 

Limestone, porous 880 -976 

Record of the E. N. Heath artesian well, 2 miles southwest of Artesia : 

Soil and clay - 15 

Gravel 15 - 30 

Yellow clay 30 - 80 

Gravel and sand 80 -280 

Sand 280 -310 

Gravel and sand 310 -340- 

Hard, red clay 340 -344 

Gypsum 344 -346 

Conglomerate 346 -366 

Sand with thin streaks of gravel 366 -441 

Coarse-grained, porous rock 441 461 

Gray sand 461 -481 

Red quicksand 481 -631 

Rock 631 -641 

Red quicksand 641 -691 

Hard, gray limestone 691 -715 

Red sand rock with streaks of clay 715 725 

Gray limestone, very hard 725 -745 



1 



ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 



Record of the W. E. Clark artesian well, 4 miles north of Artesia: Feet. 

Soil 0- 6 

Bowlders and gravel (3-16 

Gypsum 16- 7fi 

Gravel 76-81 

Gypsum 81-90 

Concretionary conglomerate 90- 95 

1 1 a rd gray sandstone 95-100 

Bed clay streaked with white clay 106-126 

Dark-gray sandstone 1 26-157 

Yellow sand 157-200 

Hard gray sandstone 200-218 

Red sand 218-232 

Very hard light-gray sandstone 232-244 

Red sand 244-247 

Hard red rock 247-250 

Red sand 250-268 

Hard red rock 268-274 

Alternating strata of quicksand and soft red sandstone , 274-536 

(In this series at 385 feet occurs the first flow; second flow at 475 feet.) 

Very hard limestone 536-540 

Red sandstone, medium hardness 540-580 

The greatest development in well sinking in this district is around Artesia, where a num- 
ber of strong artesian flows have been obtained at depths of 800 to 1,000 feet. A partial 
list of these wells, including their location, depth, and size, is given in the following table: 

Partial list of artesian wells in Artesia district. 



Name of owner and location. 



Artesia (town), NE. * NE. \ sec. 17, T. 17 S., R. 26 E.&.. 

Barnes, J. B., NW. 1 N\V. j sec. 23, T. 18 S., R. 25 E 

Bruce, J. A., NE. } NE. ] sec. 14, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

C. A. P. Cattle Co., SW. } NE. | sec. 23, T. 17 S., R. 26 E. 

Clark, AV. E. c 

Deiss, J. J., sec. 32, T. 18 S., R. 26 E 

Gilberts, S. W., SW. \ sec. 7, T. 18 S., R. 26 E 

Gilliland, J. W., SE. \ see. 9, T. 18 S., R. 26 E.d 

Hale, J. C, NW. \ SE. \ sec. 15, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

Harris, N. T., SW. \ SW. \ sec. 14, T. 16 S., R. 26 E. <\._. 

Heath, E. N., SE. \ sec. 18, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

Hodges & Venable, SE. \ NW. \ sec. 23, T. 18 S., R. 25 E. 

Majors, J. S., SW. \ SW.i sec. 31, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

Miller, L. C, SW. \ SW. i sec. 8, T. 18 S., R. 26 E 

Norfleet, A. L., S. \ NW. \ sec. 32, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

Rawl & Robertson, sec. 5, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

Richey, John, SW. \ SW. \ sec. 11, T. 16 S., R. 26 E. b . . . 

Roberts, S. L., SE. a SW. \ sec. 8, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

Smith, J. Mack, SW. \ NW. \ sec. 29, T. 17 S., R. 26 E . . . 

Smith & Beckman, sec. 17, T. 17 S., R. 26 E 

Stanford, L. G., NE. \ sec. 34, T. 18 S., R. 26 E 

Walterschied, W. M., E. \ SW. \ sec. 8, T. 17 S., R. 26 E. 



Depth. 



Feet. 
Ill 
535 
872 
830 
580 
570 
813 
826 
850 



746 
840 
823 
671 



650 
835 
976 
747 
881 
797 



Diam- 
eter. 



Inches. 
6 
6 

51 



Yield.o 



Galls, per 
minute. 



1,548 
562 



320 



1,16! 



6 | UIO 
I 

6 1,044 



1,725 



Mainly estimated. 



b 92J pounds pressure. 



Incomplete. 



12\ pounds pressure. 



McMillan district.— -This district includes the area in the vicinity of McMillan and the 
valleys of North and South forks of Seven Rivers. Near McMillan the Walters & Shavers 
and the Lakewood Townsite companies' wells have strong flows from the porous limestone 
at depths of about 800 feet. The records of these wells indicate that the unconsolidated 



WELLS AND WELL PROSPECTS. 



19 



sediments are about 250 feet thick and that the limestone division occurs 500 to GOO feet 
below the surface. The records of these wells were supplied by the drillers as follows: 

Typical deep borings in McMillan district, New Mexico. 

Record of the Walters & Shavers artesian well at McMillan: Feet. 

Soil 0- 6 

Coarse gravel 0-13 

White clay 13-33 

Coarse sand and gravel containing water 33- 43 

White chalky rock 43-70 

Very hard gray sandstone with layers of gravel 70-170 

Hard flinty rock 170-177 

Red clay and coarse gravel in alternate succession 177-235 

Light-colored sandy clay 235-250 

Red clay 250-254 

Alternating strata of gypsum and red clay 254-370 

Hard gypsum 370-393 

Series of gypsum alternating with red clay 393-440 

Alternating layers of white gypsum and red sandstone 440-500 

Red sand and hard sandstone in alternate layers 2 feet thick 500-650 

Hard white limestone 050-800 

Extra hard limestone 800-820 

White limestone becoming softer. (Flow of about 300 gallons) 820-845 

Record of the Lakewood Townsite Company artesian well at McMillan: 

Loam and gravel 0-49 

Soft gypsum in strata 5 to feet thick 49- 80 

White chalky rock 80-120 

Sandstone and gypsum in alternating layers 120-135 

Pure white gypsum, moderately hard 135-200 

Very hard white gypsum 200-450 

Soft rock resembling shale 450-490 

Alternating layers of hard and soft white rock containing few thin layers of sandstone. 

(First flow at 770 feet, second tlow at 810 feet ) 490-803 

Very soft, white rock 803-877 

Alternating layers of soft and hard limestone 877-880 

In Seven Rivers Valley wells are generally shallow, ranging in depth from 150 to 300 
feet, and the flows so far have been obtained from the unconsolidated rock. It is probable, 
however, that wells sunk to a sufficient depth in this region would obtain flows from the 
limestone division. A partial list of the wells in the McMillan district is given in the fol- 
lowing table, and their location is shown on PI. VI: 

Partial list of artesian wells in McMillan district. 



Name of owner and location. 



Brogden, J. C: 

SE. JSE. I sec. 15, T. 20 S., R. 25 E 

Sec. 21, T. 20 S., R. 25 E I 

Boyd, G. M., SE. \ sec. 26, T. 19 S., R. 25 E 

Cole, SE. isec. 7, T. 20 S., R. 25 E 

Eatons 

Hellyer, W. E '. 

Lakewood Townsite Co., sec. 27, T. 19 S., R. 26 E 

McDonald: 

NW. | sec. 8, T. 20 S., R. 25 E 

NW. | sec. 8, T. 20 S., R. 25 E 

Plott, J. C, S. \ NE. \ sec. 26, T. 19 S., R. 25 E 

Walters & Shavers, NW. \ NW. 1 sec. 23, T. 19 S., R. 26 E. 



Depth. 



Diam- 
eter. 



Yield. 



Feet. 
305 
150: 
549 
195 
400 
190 
885 

146 
150 
347 

845 



'nches: 



Galls, per 
minute. 

573 



5| 
5| 
6 


253 








6 
6 


12 


58 
52 


75 


8 
5| 





300 



20 



ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 



PRESSURE OF ARTESIAN WATER. 

In connection with the investigation of the geology and underground water relations of 
the Roswell basin a systematic measurement of well pressures has been carried on. At the 
time when this investigation was proposed there appeared to be no evidence that the flow 
was decreasing, but it was feared that the multiplicity of wells within such a limited area 
would eventually lower the water plane unless greater economy was practiced by the watet 
users. In arranging for the testing and comparison of pressures a number of representative 
wells were selected at different points throughout the basin, four from Roswell, where many 
have been sunk in a relatively small area, and others from near Hagerman and Artesia. In 
making these selections care was exercised to obtain only those which were believed to be 
representatives of local districts and in perfect condition. In a few instances, however, 
defective pipes were discovered after the first monthly pressure had been recorded. Careful 
measurements were taken of these wells each month under uniform conditions so far as pos- 
sible. The result of this investigation extending over a period of twelve months is shown 
in the following table: 

Record of periodic pressure measurements, in pounds per square inch, of artesian wells in the 
Roswell artesian basin, New Mexico, for year ending May 31, 1905. a 



No. 



Name and location. 



ARTESIA DISTRICT. 

Gilliland, b SW. cor. SE. \ sec. 
R. 26 E 



T.18 S., 



Hale, c NW. \ SE. J sec. 15, T. 17 S., R. 26 E . 

Hodges & Venable, b middle of west line 
SE. \ NVV. \ sec. 23, T. 18 S., R. 25 E.... 

Norfleet, b NW. cor. of S. 1 NW. J sec. 32, 
T. 17 S., R.26E 



s:; 



31 j 



Riehey, b SW. \ NE. \ sec. 14, T. 16 S., R. 26 



E. 



HAGERMAN DISTRICT. 

Greenfield farm,<* sec. 32 (center), T. 13 S., 
R.26E 



Sigman, H. H., b NW. J sec. 20, T. 15 S., R. 
26 E 



Widdeman, A. J.,*> SW. ± SW. |sec. 5, T. 13 
S.,R.26E 



ROSWELL DISTRICT. 

Hagerman, J. J., b near center of west line 
NW. \ SE. i sec. 13, T. 11 S., R. 24 E . . . . 

Hamilton, b lot 12, block 14 (original town- 
site), SW. i SW. \ sec. 33, T. 10 S., R. 24 
E 



McClenny, e SE. \ SE. J sec. 35, T. 10 S., R. 
24 E 



Parsons, &lot 4, block 54 (west side), NE. \ 
SE. i sec. 32, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 

P. V. and N. E. roundhouse,/ NE. cor. 
NW. i SW. \ sec. 33, T. 10 S., R. 24 E... 

Rasmussen, b SW. \ NW. \ sec. 21, T. 11 S. 
25 E 



58 



58 



40 



13 



6| 6| 



16§ 16§ 



Yater, b lot 7, block 26 (original townsite), 
NE. i SE. isec. 32, T. 10 S., R. 24 E 



80 79 

87 84 

301 30 

! 

621 61 



57 



40 



57 



40 



13 13§ 



7§ 


7 


7 


20 


20 


20 


7 


7 


7 


10 


12 


12 


31 


31 


31 


7 


7 


7 



55 







X 


h 


B 


£ 




3 


o 


a 

H-9 


79 


74 


82 


80 


27 


25 


58 


55 


951 


92 


531 


53 


41 


33 


41 


4U 


13* 


13* 



74 721 
81 771 

251 24 

56 j 541 

94 j 921 

53 
301 
39 



7 


7§ 


20 


2U 


7 


71 


12 


13 


33 


31 



22 




69 -14 
771! -10i 

21 -101 

53 - 91 

91 j - 4§ 



13J 



211 



13 i 13 



311 

' i 10 



311 311 

10 



-14 

- 1 



131 + 1 

8 + 11 
211 + 41 

8 + 1 
13 j + 1 
1 



a No measurements were obtained for December. 

b Casings of Nos. 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 15 were in perfect condition, or apparently so; slight Teak- 
age at valve of Nos. 1, 3, and 8. 

c Decrease in pressure may be due to escape of water into a higher artesian horizon, which is reached 
by a shallow well not far away. 

d This is an old well and the casing may be defective. 

« Low pressures in the months of June and July due to leakage in pipe. 

/ Slight leakage in casing near surface and at valve caused a decrease of pressure in July and August 
measurements. 



PRESSURE AND COMPOSITION OF ARTESIAN WATERS. 21 

In most cases in the Roswell and Hagerman districts, where the wells were in perfect 
condition, the pressures of the flows appear to be substantially accordant, but around 
Artesia there are several wells in which the flows have materially decreased in pressure 
during the last twelve months. Without a thorough knowledge of the conditions under 
which artesian water is obtained around Artesia the decrease in pressure of some of the 
strongest flows in that vicinity might at first appear alarming, but a comparison of this 
district with that of Roswell, where there is no decrease in pressure, introduces many 
important factors which have a direct bearing on the case. 

At Roswell artesian water is obtained at a depth of about 250 feet, and the materials 
passed through offer practically no difficulty; as a result, very perfect wells are constructed. 
Then, too, in this region wells have been built for the last decade, and the well driller 
is so familiar with the conditions that he can predict with a fair degree of accuracy the 
materials to be encountered in sinking a well. Farther south in the basin, in the vicinity 
of Artesia, a successful artesian well is not so easily obtained. Here the main flow is 
reached at much greater depths, which range from 700 to 900 feet, depending on the loca- 
tion. The increased depth is due to the presence of beds overlying the porous limestone 
series. They consist of red sand and gypsum of the supposed Permian series, and clay, 
fine sand, and gravel of the unconsolidated deposits. The sands predominate throughout 
and have often a loose texture familiarly known to the well driller as quicksand. This 
material is very difficult to drill through because of caving, and in one or two instances 
it was so troublesome that the owner was compelled to abandon the project. The pres- 
sure at the surface in an average well around Artesia is about 80 pounds to the square 
inch, which means over 400 pounds to the square inch at the bottom of a well 800 "eet 
deep. Such forces are difficult to manage, particularly where exploitation in the region 
has not been sufficiently extensive to enable the well driller to thoroughly acquaint him- 
self with the nature of the obstacles to be encountered, and make suitable provision for 
them. The region is also one that offers considerable inducement to the ambitious well 
driller. As a result, new machines are constantly coming into this field, and the opera- 
tors, though skilled in the art of well drilling, are entirely unfamiliar with this locality. 
It can readily be seen that under these circumstances imperfect wells are likely to result. 
Some of the strongest flows in the basin are and have been unmanageable since their com- 
pletion, while others owing to unfavorable conditions are not working satisfactorily. 

COMPOSITION OF ARTESIAN WATERS. 

General statements. — The artesian waters of the Roswell basin are all more or less min- 
eralized, but in only a few cases are the mineral constituents present in sufficient amounts 
to materially affect the taste or to be deleterious to plant growth. An average sample 
of the waters of North and South Spring rivers contains 75 parts of soluble matter to 
100,000 parts of water. About two-thirds of the total solids consists of calcium carbonate 
and calcium sulphate, which are regarded as harmless to plants. The more soluble ingre- 
dients of the water, consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate, and potassium 
sulphate, occur in amounts too small to injure plant growth if the ground is properly 



22 



ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 



drained. The following analyses of waters of North and South Spring rivers were made 
by Prof. E. M. Skeats, of El Paso, Tex.: 

Analyses of water from springs in North Spring and South Spring rivers. 

SAMPLES FROM MARGINAL SPRINGS IN NORTH SPRING RIVER. 

[Parts per million.] 





Total 

solids. 

820 
710 
700 
635. 6 

610 


Silica 
(Si0 2 ). 


Water. 


Cal- 
cium 
(Ca). 


Magne- 
sium 

(Mg). 


Sodium 
(Na). 


Chlorine 

(CI). 


Sul- 
phuric 

acid 
(SO<). 


Carbonic 
acid 
(C0 3 ). 


No. 1... 

No. 2 

No. 3 

No. 4 

No. 5 


15 

20 
25. 1 
15 

90 


84.7 
96.9 
65 

14. 1 


122.3 
146. 6 
106.2 
126. 
102.2 


46.8 
48.8 
45.4 
43.5 
43.4 


57.5 
8.5 
37.5 
22.5 
30.3 


93.6 
56.4 
78.9 
67.9 
4Q. 6 


281.9 
240. 6 
242.1 
245.6 
245.5 


118.1 
116.9 
102.0 
115. 1 
104 9 












Mean 


699. 1 19 


52.1 120.7 


45. 6 31. 2 69. 3 

1 


251.5 


111.4 



SAMPLES FROM MARGINAL SPRINGS IN SOUTH SPRING RIVER. 

[Parts per million.] 





Total 
solids. 


Silica 
(Si0 2 ). 


Water. 


Calcium 
(Ca). 


So'lium 

(Na). 


Chlorine 
(CI). 


Carbonic 

acid 

(G0 3 ). 


Calc.um 
magne- 
sium sul- 
phate. 


No. 1 


700 
730 
690 
790 
1,140 
1,070 


26.9 
30.8 
22.3 
16.0 
50.0 
41.5 


49.4 
50.0 
53.0 
63.4 
94.0 
85.5 


80.9 
72.1 
76.1 
72.1 
80.1 
80.1 


23.5 
51.0 
16.8 
32.1 
62.1 
52.8 


46.7 
63.0 
27.9 
48.5 
63.7 
81.2 


121.6 
107.9 
114.9 
107.9 
119.9 
119.9 


351 


No. 2 


355.2 


No. 3 


378 


No. 4 


450 


No. 5 


670 


No. 6 


609 








853.3 


31.2 


65.9 


92.3 


44.7 


66.2 


115.4 


468.9 







SAMPLES FROM BOTTOM SPRINGS IN SOUTH SPRING RIVER. 





Total 
solids. 


Silica. 


Water. 


Ca. 


co 3 . 


Na. 


CI. 


Calcium 
magne- 
sium sul- 
phate. 


No. 1 


680 

650 

700 

670 

620.8 

700 

690 

700 

690 


27.2 

13.4 

9.6 

20.5 


51.8 
51.2 
57.0 
52.5 
27.8 
55.0 
55.0 
53.9 
51.0 


Ill 

106.2 

106.2 

106.2 

109.2 

106.8 

106.2 

105.6 

112.5 


74 

70.8 

70.8 

70.8 

72.8 

71.2 

70.8 

70.4 

75.0 


18.9 
17.1 
19.9 
18.7 
17.3 
16.9 
18.0 
17.5 
17.5 


29.1 
26.3 
30.5 
28.8 
26.7 
25.9 
27.7 
27.0 
27.0 


368.0 


No. 2 


365 


No. 3 


406 


No. 4 


372.5 


No 5 


367 


No. 6 


50.2 
38.3 
41.6 
45.0 


374 


No. 7 


374 


No. 8 


384 


No. 9 


362 








678 


27.4 


50.5 


107.8 


71.8 


18.0 


27.7 


374 







The composition of the artesian water at Roswell differs somewhat from that of North 
Spring River. The total solids are greater and also the amount of sodium chloride. The 
following analysis will show the composition of the water from a number of representative 
wells at Roswell. 



COMPOSITION AND ORIGIN OF ARTESIAN WATERS. 



23 



Analyses of water from artesian wells at Roswell. 
[Individual data. Parts per million.] 



Name and date. 



Crowley: 

April, 189G. 
April, 1897. 



Matthews, Tenn. 
south of 

Cahcon: 

1895 



Depth, 



Poe, J. W 

Judge Lea 

Captain Clark. 
Miller, II. M... 

Prager 

Steam laundry 
Lea, J. C 



Feet. 

155 
155 

192 

227 
227 
237 
225 
256 
230 
218 



:;:;i 



Tem- 
pera- 
ture. 



F. 
64.5 
64.5 



70.5 
70.5 



71 
69.25 



Total 
solids. 



1130 
930 



Silica. 



86.5 



Ca. 



860 


91.0 


790 


35. 5 


930 


46.0 


810 


20.2 


1,330 


123.0 


1,020 


72.3 


1,170 


92.8 


1,290 


182.0 


1, 160 


33. 



76.1 
70.1 

56. 1 

76.1 
71.1 
76.1 
76.9 
70.1 
63.1 
73.8 
68.0 
70.1 



CO a 



113.9 
94.9 

83.9 

113.9 
106.4 
113.9 
115.1 
94.9 
106.4 
110.4 
102.0 



Mg. 



Na. 



CI. 



160. 9 247. 6 
114.5 176.0 



08.8 



3.9 



5. 67 



92.2 
96. 5 



154.1 
111.5 
106.0 
183.6 
150.0 



141.8 
108.0 
138.2 
133.2 
236.9 
171.5 
163.0 
282.4 
230.0 



Cal- 
cium 
mag- 
nesium 

sul- 
phate. 



483.5 
395.0 

340.0 

315.0 
316.6 
466.0 
378.0 
641.0 
487. 5 
576. 5 
472. 
572. 



The waters of the larger tributaries of Pecos River from the west, analyzed by Prof. 
E. M. Skeats, are reported to have the following composition: 

Analyses of water of the Hondo, Felix, North and South forks of Seven Rivers, and Penasco 

rivers. 



River and location 


Total : 
solids. 


Silica, 
etc., 
plus 

water. 


Ca. 


Mg. 


Na. 


CO,. 


so 4 . 


CI. 


Tem- 
pera- 
ture. 


Remarks. 




















o p 




Hondo (above Plea- 
cho) . 


1,195 


80.7 


231.9 


59.1 


37.1 


104. 3 


622. 4 


59. 5 




Water fairly 
clear. 


Felix (head spring). . . 

South Seven (head 
spring). 


467. 2 
1,320.0 


18.8 
194.9 

- 


107.9 
231. 7 


23.9 

74.7 


15.2 
13.8 


125. 
112.4 


152.0 
670.9 


23.3 
21.3 


64 

66. 5 




North Seven (head 
spring) . 

Penasco (by Gilberts) 


1,020.0 
650. 


75. 6 
10.0 


164.0 
136.7 


71.8 
42.8 


38.9 
15.2 


102.2 

107.9 


567.7 
324.3 


19.8 
23.3 




Trace of hy- 
drogen sul- 
phide. 



ORIGIN OF THE ARTESIAN WATER. 



The water-bearing formations in the Roswell artesian area outcrop in successive zones 
on the higher slopes to the west. There they receive their water supply by direct absorption 
from rainfall and by the sinking of streams (see PI. IX). The Hondo, Telix, Penasco, and 
Seven rivers are the most important sources. These streams all rise high on the slopes of 
the Capitan, Sierra Blanca, and Sacramento mountains, where the rainfall is relatively 
large. As a result they carry an abundance of water in their upper courses, all of which 
sinks in the outcrop zone of the porous limestones and the overlying formations and passes 
underground to the east. After the water has entered these porous formations it is con- 
fined by impervious layers of limestone or clay, and under the lower lands to the east it is 
under considerable pressure. 



24 



ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 



AMOUNT OF ARTESIAN WATER. 

It is difficult to make even an approximate estimate of the total amount of artesian 
water available in the porous formations underlying the Roswell artesian area. We do not 
know definitely how much water is absorbed by the permeable rocks in their western out- 
crop, and we are unable to calculate the amount which escapes through springs and by 
underflow along Pecos River. 

The area drained by the larger western tributaries of Pecos River comprises in all 
about 4,000 square miles. It lies along the east slopes of the Capitan, Sierra Blanca, and 
Sacramento mountains. The location and extent of the combined watersheds of all streams 
supplying water to the underlying formations of the Roswell basin is shown in PI. IX. The 
annual precipitation for this general region is comparatively large, ranging from 10 to 20 
inches. The mean annual precipitation at Fort Stanton, N. Mex., which lies in the area 
drained by Hondo River, is about 15 inches. The average for seventeen years prior to 
1891 was 19 inches, but from 1901 to 1903, inclusive, the annual rainfall was far below 
the average. The following table shows the result of observations through a period of 
nearly five years, ending with 1904: 

Monthly and annual precipitation, in inches, at Fort Stanton, N. Mex. 



Year. 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


An- 
nual. 


1900 






0.48 


0.90 
0.90 
0.00 
0.20 
0.15 


1.09 
0.04 
1.88 
0.38 
0.14 


1.03 
1.34 
0.24 
3.41 


1.98 

2.28 
0.62 
2.87 


2.18 
1.85 
1.87 
1.55 
2.92 


6.06 

2.00 
0.48 
1.55 
6. 06 


1.43 
1.76 
1.81 
0.48 
2.68 


0.40 
2.85 
0.16 
0.00 
0.08 


0.36 
0.95 
0.57 
0. 05 
0.35 




1901 


0.10 
0. 05 
0.36 
0.02 






ill 


0.38 
0.75 
0.10 


0.22 
0.17 
0.03 


9.94 
9.52 



At Lower Penasco, situated on the headwaters of Penasco River, the mean annual pre- 
cipitation is about 18 inches, as is shown by the following table: 

Monthly and annual precipitation, in inches, at Lower Penasco, N. Mex. 



Year. 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


An- 
nual. 


1896 


0.80 
1.40 


0.40 
T. 


0.10 


T. 
n 50 


T. 
0.85 
0.70 


1.70 
1.15 
0.35 


2.05 
0.55 
1.80 
1.70 
2.60 
1.05 
0.30 


3.56 
5.60 
7.40 
5.89 

4.85 
6.68 


1.38 
3.15 
4.00 
1.35 
1.95 
0.97 


1.57 
1.80 


6.01 
1.05 


T. 
0.10 
0.30 
1.50 

T. 


0.40 
0.25 
2.40 
1.05 
0.60 
T. 


16.27 


1897... 




1898 


0.60 0.25 

T. 0.20 

0.90 0.30 


0. 10 1. 65 


1. 15 T. 
2.90 1.15 
5. 45 1 - 05 


20.35 


1899 


0.35 
0.35 


T. 
0.30 
0.50 


16.09 


1900 


20.05 


1901 


3.90 






1902 


0.80 +0.05 

1 


0.00 


T 










1 



















From the above statements it is apparent that the total amount of water which falls during 
a year of average precipitation throughout the combined watershed of the Hondo, Felix, 
Penasco, and Seven rivers is necessarily large. Of course a portion of this water is lost by 
evaporation and run-off, but a considerable amount is absorbed by the water-bearing rocks 
and becomes available to the east as artesian water. It has not been practicable in the 
present investigation to compute the total outflow of all the artesian wells in the Roswell 
basin, but at a liberal estimate this amount would probably be only a small proportion of 
the quantity absorbed by the water-bearing rocks throughout their western outcrop area. 
This is clearly shown by the large number of wells which it has been possible to sink in the 
town of Roswell without materially diminishing the flows of some of the first wells dug. It 
is possible that the amount of artesian water available around Artesia is not so great as at 



U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 




ca £r*\3 




£ 





SW 3 



^°o A s mt 






MAP OF 

SHOWING T 



U S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 158 PL IX 




u.whi.lillu- priii 

cipal water bearing 
rooks mill pop 



LTD 



Watershed of drain 

age which crosses 

the outcrop ares ••! 

the water bearingbeds 



MAP OF SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO 

•SHOWING THE GENERAL ARTESIAN CONDITIONS 
Bv C A. riSH KH 



1905 



WASTE OF WATER. 25 

Roswell, but the only evidence of this is the decrease in pressure of some of the wells at 
Artesia. The combined watershed of the streams lying west of this part of the basin is 
larger than that of Hondo River, and according to the Weather Bureau records it has a some- 
what greater annual rainfall. For these reasons we would expect the formations underlying 
the southern part of the basin to contain a large amount of water. While there is evidence 
of a general decrease in flow throughout the Artesia district, it is probable that this diminu- 
tion is largely due to the clogging of the pipes with sediment, the escape of water along the 
outside of the tubing from lower to higher horizons, and various other causes which are 
known to affect the flow of artesian wells. 

It is believed that there is no cause for fear that the water supply throughout the northern 
part of the Roswell basin will give out or become inadequate for all requirements under 
proper economy of practice. In the region of Artesia and McMillan not enough wells have 
been sunk to indicate the amount that the water-bearing beds may be expected to yield. 

WASTE OF WATER. 

There is pressing need for greater econony on the part of the users of well water throughout 
the Roswell basin. At Roswell a city ordinance regulates the management of all flowing 
wells, but throughout the remainder of the district no restraint whatever is placed upon the 
management of the wells, and, with very few exceptions, they are allowed to flow continu- 
ously. A small portion of this water is stored in artificial reservoirs, but by far the greater 
part runs off into pools, evaporates and seeps away on uncultivated lands, or runs directly 
into Pecos River. In one case noted a ditch leads from the well directly to the river, a dis- 
tance of one-half mile, and it is not an unusual thing to find water flowing from the wells to 
low, marshy lands adjacent to the river, where by underflow it soon reaches the main channel. 
Formerly many of the wells were not even furnished with reservoirs, and the water was car- 
ried by laterals directly to the fields during the irrigating season, and at other times was 
allowed to flow off through wasteways. 

Nearly all the wells that are being constructed at the present time in the southern part of 
the basin are to be furnished with reservoirs ranging in capacities from 6 to 24 acre-feet, 
which are filled as often as necessary during the irrigating season. Even these commendable 
provisions are quite ineffectual in the case of wells not provided with valves, as they con- 
serve only a relatively small portion of the total flow. An effort is now being made by a few 
of the well owners in the vicinity of Artesia to provide each well with a suitable valve, so 
that, when the water is not in use and the reservoir is full, the flow can be shut down. There 
is a general prejudice among well owners against shutting off the flow, as they fear that it will 
decrease the efficiency of the well. It is true that in a few cases wells have been damaged 
in this way, but where they were properly constructed the per cent injured is very small. 

SHALLOW WELLS. 

More or less water is obtained throughout the Roswell basin at depths varying from 25 to 
200 feet. The water usually occurs in coarse gravel of the unconsolidated deposits. The 
supply appears to be inexhaustible, and in many cases the water is used for irrigation pur- 
poses. Outside the area of flow from Roswell to Hagerman there are a number of wells 75 
to 100 feet deep, which furnish 5,000 to 7,000 gallons of water a day. The water is generally 
pumped with windmills. In the vicinity of Roswell a few deep nonflowing wells are pro- 
vided with gasoline engines. A gasoline pumping plant on Sherman's farm, at Roswell, is 
shown in PI. VIII, B. 

Bordering the area of flows throughout the Roswell basin there is a zone of irrigable land 
3 to 5 miles wide, in which water would probably rise in deep wells to within 100 feet of the 
surface, so that it could be profitably pumped for irrigation. The approximate limits of 
this area are shown on PI. VI. 



26 



ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 



The following list gives the principal features of a number of shallow wells in the northern 
part of the Roswell basin: 

List of shallow wells in the Roswell basin. 



Name of owner and location. 



Albrecht, E, 0.,NW. J sec. 32, T. 12 S., R. 25 E 

Altebery, J. R. , S. } NW. J sec. 28, T. 11 S. , R. 23 E. . 

Bethel, II., W.J NW.| sec. 1,T. 17 S.,R. 25 E 

Bowers,.!. S.,SW.} sec. 23, T. 11 S.,R.23E 

Brink, F.,E.JNW. } sec. 15, T.11S.,R.23E 

Clark, J.H.: 

NW. } sec. 18, T. 17 S. , R. 26 E 

SE. | SE. | sec. 12, T. 17 S. , R. 25 E 

Coin.W. W.,SW. 1 SW. J -sec. 35, T. 11 S.,R.25 E... 

Costa, N. , SE. J SE. J sec. 8, T. 11 S., R. 24 E 

Gilbert, C.H.,NE.} NE. } sec.21,T.ll S.,R.25 E. 

Gishwiller, J. A.,SW. \ sec. 18, T. 11 S.,R. 24 E 

Hobbs, J. W 

Hobbs & Hanney , SE. | sec. 2, T. 11 S. , R. 23 E 

Hortenstein, SW. \ sec. 23, T. 12 S. , R. 25 E 

Miller, F., T. 11 S., R. 23 E 

Millheiser.P.: 

SW.} SW.} sec. 7, T. 11 S.,R.24 E 

SW.} NE.} sec.7,T.ll S.,R.24 E 

Paulson, P. O., NW. J sec. 30, T. 13 S. , R. 2(i E 

Peck, J. C. , SE. J sec. 27, T. 11 S. , R. 23 E 

St. John, J. A., SE. J SE. i sec. 18, T. 11 S. , R. 24 E . . 
Saunders, J. P.,SW. £ NW. } sec. 8, T. 13 S., R. 25 E . 

Smith, E. L. , T. 11 S. , R. 23 E 

Stockard.J.W.: 

SE.}- SE. } sec. 23, T. 11S.,R.23 E 

NW. } SE. } sec. 23, T. 11 S. , R. 23 E 

Turner, W. P., NE. } NE. } sec. 7, T. 11 S.,R.24E.., 

White, G. A. , sec. 18, T. 14 S. , R. 26 E 

Williams, O. L. , NE. } sec. 7, T. 12 S. , R. 25 E 



Depth. 



Feet. 

88 
208 

72 
132 
125 

38 
100 
42 
27 
360 
71 
58 
77 
102 



30 
175 

58 
160 

60 
155 
129 

150 
92 
30 
84 

103 



Amount 

pumped 
per day. 



Gallons. 



7,000 
7,000 



6,000 
8,000 



5,000 
6,000 
2,000 

3,000 
5,000 



5,000 
7,000 



7,000 

7,000 
6,000 
6,000 



IRRIGATION. 

Irrigation has been practiced to some extent in the Roswell basin since the first settle- 
ments were made, but prior to 1889 only a few small farms were irrigated. The perma- 
nent water supply in the vicinity of Roswell was the first to be utilized. Here a number 
of small ditches were dug, and by extending these ditches from time to time the present 
Roswell irrigation system has been developed. The Northern canal system, which irri- 
gates the territory south of Roswell, was built by a development company as a part of 
a large irrigating project, designed to irrigate Pecos Valley from Roswell to the Texas- 
New Mexico line. 

Roswell system. — A number of ditches have been constructed from the head springs of 
Middle and South Berrendo and North and South Spring rivers, which furnish water for 
the land along their valleys. The surplus water of these ditches is directed into the North- 
ern canal to be used for irrigation farther down Pecos Valley. 

Northern canal. — This canal extends from Hondo River at a point about 5 miles east of 
Roswell to near Lake Arthur, a distance of about 35 miles, and irrigates a large district 
of well-improved farming land in the vicinity of Hagerman. Besides receiving water from 



IRRIGATION. 27 

the Berrendo and North and South Spring rivers, the Northern canal is supplied with 
water to some extent by artesian wells. Though the water of the Northern canal is highly 
mineralized from the large amount of seepage water which it receives in the vicinity of 
Roswell, the harmful salts apparently are not present in sufficient quantities to affect plant 
growth. The following analysis made by Prof. E. M. Skeats shows the average condition 
of the Northern canal water: 

Analysis of Northern canal water. 

Parts per million. 

Sodium (Na) .■ 256. 1 

Sodium and potassium sulphates 230. 

Magnesium (Mg) 50. 4 

Calcium (Ca) 428. 

Chlorine (CI) 393. 9 

Carbonic acid (C0 3 ) 101. 9 

Sulphuric acid (S0 4 ) 349. 7 

Silica, alumina, and iron (Si0 2 Fe 2 03Al 2 03) 20. 

Water of crystallization 190. 

Total solid 2. 020. 

Hondo project. — Preparations are now being made by the Government to store the flood 
waters of Hondo River for the purpose of irrigating lands along Hondo Valley above Ros- 
well. The location of the proposed reservoir is in a high natural depression on the divide 
between Blackwater Arroyo and Hondo River. The surface rock in the vicinity is a mas- 
sive blue limestone, weathering to light gray, underlain by alternate layers of gypsum 
and red and yellow clay. The bedding was originally uniform, but surface waters have 
dissolved the gypsum, causing a settling of the beds in the bottom of the reservoir and 
considerable local distortion around its rim. A number of borings were made with a dia- 
mond drill in the bottom of the reservoir, in order to determine the character of the under- 
lying rocks. The following is a record of one of these borings: 

Record of diamond-drill boring, Hondo reservoir site, New Mexico. 

Feet. 

Clay -11. 1 

Broken limestone 11. 1-22 

Clay 22 -25 

Cavity 25 -30 

Broken rock cavities 30 -64. 4 

Gypsum 64. 4-70. 2 

Clay 70. 2-71. 9 

Cavity 71. 9-73. 4 

Loose rock 73. 4-76. 8 

Gypsum 76. 8-79. 8 

Clay 79. 8-80. 2 

Limestone 80. 2-88. 4 

Gypsum 88. 4-91 . 8 

ARTESIAN IRRIGATION. 

The use of artesian water for irrigation in the Roswell area began soon after the first 
flowing wells were obtained, and it has been gradually increasing ever since. Irrigation 
from the waters of Hondo and North and South Spring rivers has been practiced, as pre- 
viously stated, for many years, and the use of artesian .water was not resorted to until 
most of the surface waters of the region had been appropriated. There are now several 
farms in the vicinity of Roswell that depend entirely on artesian water for irrigation, and 
to the south nearly all the land included in the area of flow has been filed on with the- 
intention of reclaiming it by artesian irrigation. Many of the farmers in the vicinity of 
Roswell who have practiced artesian irrigation for several years have obtained results 
which are highly satisfactory. This has caused considerable interest and enthusiasm among 
those living farther south in the less developed portions of the basin, and in this region 



28 



ROSWELL ARTESIAN AREA, NEW MEXICO. 



many large wells are now being sunk, which will be used exclusively for irrigation. Many 
of these wells are being provided with storage reservoirs, so that a larger amount of water 
will be available during the growing season. 

- Among many landowners throughout the area there is a tendency to overestimate the 
amount of land that can be irrigated from an ordinary artesian well. According to con- 
servative estimates made by irrigators who have had considerable experience in this locality 
a flowing well with a yield of 450 gallons per minute, provided with a suitable storage reser- 
voir, will irrigate 30 acres of alfalfa or 70 acres of orchard. In order to accomplish this, how- 
ever, the land must have the proper slope and the soil must be of uniform texture. Alfalfa 
requires more water than any of the staple crops. Under ordinary conditions 30 inches 
per year is sufficient, but if the land is irrigated during the winter a larger quantity is re- 
quired. If this amount of water is properly applied, three or four crops may be cut, the 
harvesting period ranging from May to the latter part of August. An average yield of 
alfalfa is 1 ton to the acre for each cutting. 

It is difficult to make definite statements regarding the irrigation of orchards in this 
locality. It is accomplished in many different ways, depending mainly on the age and 
condition of the trees. In many instances vegetables are raised between the rows of trees, 
and no additional water Is required for the irrigation of the orchard. It is generally suffi- 
cient to water an orchard once a month during the summer and once, or possibly not at all, 
during the winter. About 15 to 20 inches of water a year is required. 

CLIMATE. 

Temperature. — The climate of the Roswell basin does not differ materially in the pre- 
vailing aridity from that of the remainder of southern and eastern New Mexico. The tem- 
perature of the region is high, with a low relative humidity. The summers are usually long 
and hot and the winters mild and pleasant. The maximum temperature is 110° and the 
minimum seldom falls far below zero. The following tables compiled from the records of 
the United States Weather Bureau give the mean monthly maximum and minimum tem- 
peratures of the Roswell district. The observations extend over a period of ten years, 
1895 to 1904, inclusive: 

Mean monthly temperature at Roswell, N . Mex. 





Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 




71.6 
6.5 


78.6 
5.4 


85.4 
18.4 


90.1 
26 


86.9 
38.5 


101.4 
49.9 


99.2 
56.8 


99.4 
55 


97.3 
41 


87.5 
28.5 


81.5 
17 


74.2 




7.5 







Rainfall. — The average annual precipitation at Roswell is 16.6 inches. The greater 
part of this amount falls during the months of June and July in frequent showers, which, 
although often violent, are generally local and of short duration. Only a small percentage 
of the annual precipitation falls as snow. The following record of the monthly and annual 
pecipitation at Roswell, extending over a period of ten years, shows considerable variation: 



CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE. 29 

Monthly and annual precipitation, in inches, at Roswell, N. Mex. 



Year. 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


An- 
nual. 


1895 


0.40 


0.48 


0.02 


0.14 


2.31 


1.28 


4.45 


2.99 


1.09 


2.11 


0.85 


0.07 


16.19 


1896 


0.00 


0.14 


0.02 


T. 


0.12 


1.97 


1.79 


0.40 


1.89 


5. 46 





0.64 


13.12 


1897 


1.12 





0.59 


1.35 


3.76 


1.42 


2.78 


2.94 


1.25 


:44 


T. 


T. 


15.65 


1898 


0.26 
0.06 


0.86 
0.15 


T. 
0.06 


0.34 
0.23 


1.03 
0.27 


6.05 
1.62 


6.53 
4.37 


2.99 
1.21 


0.69 
3.64 


T. 
0.20 


0.50 
3.21 


1.37 
1.54 


20.62 


1899 


16.56 


1900 


0.96 


T. 


0.50 


0.39 


1.62 


2.13 


2.85 


1.25 


6.53 


3.33 


0.17 


0.07 


19.80 


1901 


0.21 


1.15 


0.00 


0.97 


1.04 


0.22 


3.04 


0.60 


1.99 


2.21 


6.15 


0.26 


17.84 


1902 


1.24 


0.00 


0.83 


T. 


0.70 


1.03 


5.52 


1.80 


3.08 


1. 36 


0.52 


0.50 


16.58 


1903 


0.22 


0.96 


0.10 


T. 


0.74 


4.37 






0.92 


T. 


0.00 


0.00 




1904 


0.16 


0.14 


0.00 


0.07 


1.30 


1.80 


1.23 


0.83 


5.10 


2.67 


0.15 


0.30 


13. 75 



The heaviest rainfall ever recorded at Roswell was on October 31, 1901, when 5.65 inches 
fell in one night, causing considerable damage by flooding. 

AGRICULTURE. 

Ttie general aridity of the climate renders farming without irrigation impracticable 
except in a few low-lying areas adjacent to Pecos River. In consequence agriculture is 
restricted to those portions of the valley where water can be obtained from some of the vari- 
ous canals or from artesian wells. The cultivated portions of the basin at^present com- 
prise about one-eighth of the total area included in this report, the remainder being utilized 
for pasturage of cattle — an industry to which the higher lands are well adapted. The chief 
products are alfalfa, Kaffir corn, wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, Mexican beans, cantaloupes, 
celery, and a large variety of garden vegetables. Alfalfa and Kaffir corn are perhaps the 
largest crops and both are consumed in the region. Fruit raising is a growing industry and 
many large orchards are found in the irrigated district. Peaches, pears, piums, cherries, 
and other small fruits have a hardy growth and an abundant yield, but the apple crop is 
the most important. At South Spring there is a large apple orchard, comprising about 600 
acres, from which many thousand pounds of apples are shipped annually. Several large 
apple orchards have been planted during the last five years, and fruit raising seems destined 
to become one of the most important industries of the district. The seasons are ordinarily 
of sufficient length to insure the maturity of all cultivated crops. 
irr 158—06 3 



CLASSIFICATION OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL 

SURVEY. 

[Water-Supply Paper No. 158.] 

The serial publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual 
Reports, (2) Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) Mineral 
Resources, (6) AVater-Supply and Irrigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of 
United States — folios and separate sheets thereof, (8) Geologic Atlas of the United 
States — folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7, and 8 are sold at cost of publica- 
tion; the others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists may be had 
on application. 

Most of the above publications may be obtained or consulted in the following 
ways: 

1. A limited number are delivered to the Director of the Survey, from whom they 
may be obtained, free of charge (except classes 2, 7, and 8), on application. 

2. A certain number are delivered to Senators and Representatives in Congress, for 
distribution. 

3. Other copies are deposited with the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 
D. C, from whom they may be had at prices slightly above cost. 

4. Copies of all Government publications are furnished to the principal public 
libraries in the large cities throughout the United States, where they may be con- 
sulted by those interested. 

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of 
subjects, and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified 
into the following series: A, Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, System- 
atic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and mineralogy; E, Chemistry and 
physics; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; J, Water stor- 
age; K, Pumping water; L, Quality of water; M, General hydrographic investiga- 
tions; X, Water power; O, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports. 
This paper is the eighty-first in Series B, the twentieth in Series I, and the fifty-first 
in Series 0, the compete lists of which follow (PP= Professional Paper; B=Bulletin; 
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B 33. Notes on geology of northern California, by J. S. Diller. 1886. 23 pp. (Out of stock.) 
B 39. The upper beaches and deltas of Glacial Lake Agassiz, by Warren Upham. 1887. 84 pp., 1 pi. 

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B 53. The geology of Nantucket, by N. S. Shaler. 1889. 55 pp., 10 pis. (Out of stock.) 
B 57. A geological reconnaissance in southwestern Kansas, by Robert Hay. 1890. 49 pp., 2 pis. (Out 

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B 108. A geological reconnaissance in central Washington, by I. C. Russell. 1893. 108 pp., 12 pis. 

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B 144. The moraines of the Missouri Coteau and their attendant deposits, by J. E. Todd. 1896. 71 

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B 158. The moraines of southeastern South Dakota and their attendant deposits, by J. E. Todd. 

1899. 171pp., 27 pis. 
B 159. The geology of eastern Berkshire County, Massachusetts, by B. K. Emerson. 1899. 139 pp., 

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B 165. Contributions to the geology of Maine, by H. S. Williams and H. E. Gregory. 1900. 212 pp., 

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WS 70. Geology and water resources of the Patrick and Goshen Hole quadrangles in eastern 

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PP 3. Geology and petrography of Crater Lake National Park, by J. S. Diller and H. B. Patton. 

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PP 11. Clays of the United States east of the Mississippi River, by Heinrich Ries. 1903. 298 pp., 9 pis. 
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168 pp., 29 pis. 
WS 90. Geology and water resources of part of the lower James River Valley, South Dakota, by J. E. 

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PP 27. Geological reconnaissance across the Bitterroot Range and the Clearwater Mountains in Mon- 
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B 235. A geological reconnaissance across the Cascade Range near the forty-ninth parallel, by G. O. 

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PP 34. The Delavan lobe of the Lake Michigan glacier of the Wisconsin stage of glaciation and 

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WS 123. Geology and underground water conditions of the Jornada del Muerto, New Mexico, by 

C. R. Keyes. 1905. 42 pp., 9 pis. 
WS 136. Underground waters of Salt River Valley, Arizona, by W. T. Lee. 1905. 194 pp., 24 pis. 
PP 43. The copper deposits of the Clifton-Morenci district, Arizona, by Waldemar Lindgren. 1905. 

375 pp., 25 pis. 
B 265. Geology of the Boulder district, Colorado, by N. M. Fenneman. 1905. 101 pp., 5 pis. 
B 267. The copper deposits of Missouri, by H. F. Bain and E. O. Ulrich. 1905. 52 pp., 1 pi. 
PP 44. Underground water resources of Long Island, New York, by A. C. Veatch and others. 1905. 

394 pp., 34 pis. 
WS 148. Geology and water resources of Oklahoma, by C. N. Gould. 1905. 178 pp., 22 pis. 
B 270. The configuration of the rock floor of Greater New York, by W. H. Hobbs. 1905. 96 pp., 5 pis. 
B 272. Taconic physiography, by T. N. Dale. 1905. 52 pp., 14 pis. (Out of stock.) 
PP 45. The geography and geology of Alaska, a summary of existing knowledge, by A. H. Brooks, 

with a section on climate, by Cleveland Abbe, jr., and a topographic map and description 

thereof, by R. U. Goode. 1906. 327 pp., 34 pis. 
B 273. The drumlins of southeastern Wisconsin (preliminary paper), by W. C. Alden. 1905. 46 pp., 

9 pis. 
PP 46. Geology and underground water resources of northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas, by 

A. C. Veatch. 1906. 
PP 49. Geology and mineral resources of part of the Cumberland Gap coal field, Kentucky, by G. H. 

Ashley and L. C. Glenn, in cooperation with the State Geological Department of Kentucky, 

C. J. Norwood, curator. 1906. 239 pp., 40 pis. 
PP 50. The Montana lobe of the Keewatin ice sheet, by F. H. H. Calhoun. 1906. 
B 277. Mineral resources of Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: Gold fields of the Turnagain Arm region, by 

F. H. Moffit, and the coal fields of Kachemak Bay region, by R. W. Stone. 1906. 
WS 154. The geology and water resources of the eastern portion of the Panhandle of Texas, by C. N. 

Gould. 1906. 64 pp., 15 pis. 
B 278. Geology and coal resources of the Cape Lisburne region, Alaska, by A. J. Collier. 
B 279. Mineral resources of the Kittanning and Rural Valley quadrangles, Pennsylvania, by Charles 

Butts. 
B 280. The Rampart gold placer region, Alaska, by L. M. Prindle and F. L. Hess. 
B 282. Oil fields of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf coastal plain, by N. M. Fenneman. 



IV SERIES LIST. 

WS 157. Underground water in the valleys of Utah Lake and Jordan River, Utah, by G. B. Richardson. 
PP 51. Geology of the Bighorn Mountains, by N. H. Darton: 

WS 158. Preliminary report on the geology and underground waters of the Roswell artesian area, 
New Mexico, by C. A. Fisher. 1906. 29 pp., 9 pis. 

SERIES O— UNDERGROUND WATERS. 

WS 4. A reconnaissance in southeastern Washington, by I. C. Russell. 1897. 96 pp., 7 pis. (Out of 

stock.) 
WS 6. Underground waters of southwestern Kansas, by Erasmus Ha worth. 1897. 65 pp., 12 pis. 

(Out of stock.) 
WS 7. Seepage waters of northern Utah, by Samuel Fortier. 1897. 50 pp., 3 pis. (Out of stock. ) 
WS 12. Underground waters of southeastern Nebraska, by N. H. Darton. 1898. 56 pp., 21 pis. (Out 

of stock.) 
WS 21. Wells of northern Indiana, by Frank Leverett. 1899. 82 pp., 2 pis. (Out of stock.) 
WS 26. Wells of southern Indiana (continuation of No. 21), by Frank Leverett. 1899. 64 pp. (Out 

stock.) 
WS 30. Water resources of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, by A. C. Lane. 1899. 97 pp., 7 pis. 

(Out of stock.) 
WS 31. Lower Michigan mineral waters, by A. C. Lane. 1899. 97 pp., 4 pis. (Out of stock.) 
WS 34. Geology and water resources of a portion of southeastern South Dakota, by J. E. Todd. 1900. 

34 pp., 19 pis. 
WS 53. Geology and water resources of Nez Perces County, Idaho, Pt. I, by I. C. Russell. 1901. 86 

pp., 10 pis. (Out of stock.) 
WS 54. Geology and water resources of Nez Perces County, Idaho, Pt. II, by I. C. Russell. 1901. 

87-141 pp. (Out of stock. ) 
WS 55. Geology and water resources of a portion of Yakima County, Wash., by G. O. Smith. 1901. 

68 pp., 7 pis. (Out of stock.) 
WS 57. Preliminary list of deep borings in the United States, Pt. I, by X. II. Darton. 1902. 60 pp. 

(Out of stock.) 
WS 59. Development and application of water in southern California, Pt. I, by J. B. Lippincott. 

1902. 95 pp., 11 pis. (Out of stock.) 
WS 60. Development and application of water in southern California, Pt. II, by J. B. Lippincott. 

1902. 96-140 pp. (Out of stock.) 
WS 61. Preliminary list of deep borings in the United States, Pt. II, by N. H. Darton. 1902. 67 pp. 

(Out of stock.) 
WS 67. The motions of underground waters, by C. S. Slichter. 1902. 106 pp., 8 pis. (Out of stock.) 
B 199. Geology and water resources of the Snake River Plains of Idaho, by I. C. Russell. 1902. 192 

pp., 25 pis. 
WS 77. Water resources of Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, by Waldemar Lindgren. 1903. 62 pp., 4 pis. 
WS 7>s. Preliminary report on artesian basin in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon, by I. C. 

Russell. 1903. 53 pp., 2 pis. 
PP 17. Preliminary report on the geology and water resources of Nebraska west of the one hundred 

and third meridian, by N. H. Darton. 1903. 69 pp., 43 pis. 
WS 90. Geology and water resources of a part of the lower James River Valley, South Dakota, by 

J. E. Todd and C. M. Hall. 1904. 47 pp., 23 pis. 
WS 101. Underground waters of southern Louisiana, by G. D. Harris, with discussions of their uses for 

water supplies and for rice irrigation, by M. L. Fuller. 1904. 98 pp., 11 pis. 
WS 102. Contributions to the hydrology of eastern United States, 1903, by M. L. Fuller. 1904. 522 pp. 
WS 104. Underground waters of Gila Valley, Arizona, by W. T. Lee. 1904. 71 pp., 5 pis. 
WS 110. Contributions to the hydrology of eastern United States, 1904; M. L. Fuller, geologist in 

charge. 1904. 211 pp., 5 pis. 
PP 32. Geology and underground water resources of the central Great Plains, by N. H. Darton. 1904. 

433 pp., 72 pis. (Out of stock.) 
WS 111. Preliminary report on underground waters of Washington, by Henry Landes. 1904. 85 pp. 

lpl. 
WS 112. Underflow tests in the drainage basin of Los Angeles River, by Homer Hamlin. 1904. 

55 pp., 7 pis. 
WS 114. Underground waters of eastern United States; M. L. Fuller, geologist in charge. 1904. 

285 pp., 18 pis. 
WS 118. Geology and water resources of east-central Washington, by F. C. Calkins. 1905. 96 pp., 

4 pis. 
B 252. Preliminary report on the geology and water resources of central Oregon, by I. C. Russell. 

1905. 138 pp., 24 pis. 
WS 120. Bibliographic review and index of papers relating to underground waters published by the 

United States Geological Survey, 1879-1904, by M. L. Fuller. 1905. 128 pp. 
WS 122. Relation of the law to underground waters, by D. W. Johnson. 1905. 55 pp. 



SERIES LIST. V 

WS 123. Geology and underground water conditions of the Jornada del Muerto, New Mexico, by C. R. 

Keyes. 1905. 42 pp., 9 pis. 
WS 136. Underground waters of the Salt River Valley, by VV. T. Lee. 1905. 194 pp., 24 pis. 
B 264. Record. of deep-well drilling for 1904, by M. L. Fuller, E. F. Lines, and A. C. Veatch. 1905. 

106 pp. 
PP 44. Underground water resources of Long Island, New York, by A. C. Veatch and others. 1905. 

394 pp., 34 pis. 
WS 137, Development of underground waters in the eastern coastal plain region of southern California, 

by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 140 pp., 7 pis. 
WS 138. Development of underground waters in the central coastal plain region of southern Califor- 
nia, by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 162 pp., 5 pis. 
WS 139. Development of underground waters in the western coastal plain region of southern Cali- 
fornia, by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 105 pp., 7 pis. 
WS 140. Field measurements of the rate of movement of underground waters, by C. S. Slichter. 1905. 

122 pp., 15 pis. 
WS 141. Observations on the ground waters of Rio Grande Valley, by C. S. Slichter. 1905. 83 pp., 

5 pis. 
WS 142. Hydrology of San Bernardino Valley, California, by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 124 pp., 13 pis. 
WS 145. Contributions to the hydrology of eastern United States: M. L. Fuller, geologist in charge. 

1905. 220 pp., 6 pis. 
WS 148. Geology and water resources of Oklahoma, by C. N. Gould. 1905. 178 pp., 22 pis. 
WS 149. Preliminary list of deep borings in the United States, second edition with additions, by 

N. H. Darton. 1905. 175 pp. 
PP 46. Geology and underground water resources of northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas, by 

A. C. Veatch. 1906. 
WS 153. The underflow in Arkansas Valley in western Kansas, by C. S. Slichter. 19C6. 
WS 154. The geology and water resources of the eastern portion of the Panhandle of Texas, by C. N. 

Gould. 1906. 64 pp., 15 pis. 
WS 155. Fluctuations of the water level in wells, with special reference to Long Island, New York, 

by A. C. Veatch. 
WS 157. Underground water in the valleys of Utah Lake and Jordan River, Utah, by G. B. Richardson. 
WS 15s. Preliminary report on the geology and underground waters of the Roswell artesian area, 

New Mexico, by C. A. Fisher. 1906. 29 pp., 9 pis. 
The following papers also relate to this subject: Underground waters of Arkansas Valley in eastern 
Colorado, by G. K. Gilbert, in Seventeenth Annual, Pt. II: Preliminary report on artesian waters of a 
portion of the Dakotas, by X. H. Darton, in Seventeenth Annual, Pt. II; Water resources of Illinois, 
by Frank Leverett, in Seventeenth Annual, Pt. II: Water resources of Indiana and Ohio, by Frank 
Leverett, in Eighteenth Annual, Pt. IV; New developments in well boring and irrigation in eastern 
South Dakota, by N. H. Darton, in Eighteenth Annual, Pt. IV; Rock waters of Ohio, by Edward 
Orton, in Nineteenth Annual, Pt. IV; Artesian well prospects in the Atlantic coastal plain region, by 
N. H. Darton, Bulletin No. 138. 

Correspondence should be addressed to 

The Director, 

United States Geological Survey, 
April, 1906. Washington, D. C. 

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